Mac & Cheese Casefile #732781a: The Kitchen
By Mac and Cheese Mair - Thursday January 04th 2007 |
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i’ve heard good things about the kitchen, for their food in general and their mac and cheese. i went there twice to verify my food findings, and twice i was disappointed in the mac and cheese, but their other food was good.
their mac and cheese tasted more like macaroni with garlic, there was a faint hint of cheese. i prefer mac and cheese that is baked but still swimming in cheese sauce, the burned bread crumb topping is also a nice touch. the kitchen’s mac and cheese was on the dry side and not swimming in a creamy cheese sauce. i wonder if this could be expected because it is considered a starter and not a main dish.
others ordered the fried chicken, turkey burger with bacon and salmon with sauteed spinach that has huge chunks of garlic in in [photo]. the 
kitchen should be renamed “the garlic” for their overusage. the fried chicken was a healthier version of the classic dish, instead of chicken on the bone they used a chicken breast. the turkery burger was decent and the added bacon made it more flavorful. the fish was also good but the huge chunks of garlic came as a surprise to us.
overall i would go back to the kitchen because it is a small neighborhood spot where i can find healthier versions of comfort dishes. but i will not order the mac and cheese there. the service was good and i haven’t had to wait for a table there. they open at 
5pm for dinner and they have a small parking lot as well as ample residential parking spots.
on a side note, a friend whose initials are kp found the violet baked macaroni recipe. it is very simple and i made it twice and both times it turned out very well, identical to the restaurant. i will no longer be patronizing violet because their secret was uncovered. but violet’s approach to mac and cheese is still something i regard as the best of LA.
The Kitchen
4348 Fountain Ave at Sunset
(323) 664-3663
Photo of Mac and Cheese [Not Condoned]
As always Mair, this post is much appreciated!
Hi,
You might want to try the jalapeño-mac-n-cheese at Citizen Smith in Hollywood. It’s awesome! (note: leave room for the chicken skewers and creme brulee)
Citizen Smith
1600 N Cahuenga Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 461-5001
Where’s the Violet recipe????
I almost choked on the glob of garlic :( I ditto on the fact that I would go back because the overall atmosphere was superb!!
Dear mac and cheese obsessed losanjealenos,
This may be a losanjealous faux paux, but I am in San Francisco, can anyone can refer me to a preferred mac and cheese establishment here? I trust you, Mair, come on, you have got to have a reccomendation. The best i’ve had so far is at this place called St Francis, in the mission. Then their was this tapas fusion style gorgonzola, apple mac and cheese @ Solstice, that was absolutely devine.
Thanks again,
Mac and cheese, west coast division
Somebody edit me, please.
ha.
Oh, and I forgot to mention, the photo above looks disgusting! Wtf do they put in there, a drying agent?
hmm… that is definitely not mac and cheese. it’s the remoulade sauce for the calamari. it was actually tasty, but looks not tasty.
i also forgot to mention that the kitchen is awesome because you can bring your own beverages, there is a liquor store across the street and a trader joe’s and gelson’s close by.
Good to know. I am considering eating here soon. Would it be frowned upon to bring a liter of Jameson and a filthy paper cup? Please advise.
Mair… you’ve gotten a couple of sucky ones in a row. Why don’t you go to one of the ones that you haven’t tried that people recommend?
the mac and cheese at the kitchen is kind of hit or miss, but when it’s “hit” it is one of the best foods i have ever eaten.